BACILLUS SELENITIREDUCENS Meaning and
Definition
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Bacillus selenitireducens is a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus. It is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that is typically characterized by its ability to reduce selenite and selenate, two toxic forms of selenium, to less toxic elemental selenium.
This bacterium is anaerobic, meaning it thrives in oxygen-deprived environments. It has been isolated from different sources, including selenium contaminated sediments and soils, where it plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of selenium. It is also known to be found in certain wastewater treatment plants and selenium-rich environments such as mining sites.
Bacillus selenitireducens possesses specific enzymatic machinery that allows it to reduce soluble selenium compounds to insoluble elemental selenium. This detoxification mechanism detoxifies the selenium present in the environment and prevents its bioaccumulation, thereby protecting other organisms from its toxic effects.
Apart from its ability to reduce selenium, Bacillus selenitireducens also has the capacity to reduce other metal ions such as arsenate, chromium, and tellurium. This distinct metabolic versatility makes it a fascinating bacterium for studying the bioremediation of heavy metals and metalloids.
Overall, Bacillus selenitireducens is an anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium with the unique ability to reduce toxic forms of selenium. Its contribution to selenium cycling and detoxification in various environments underscores its ecological significance and potential applications in bioremediation processes.
Etymology of BACILLUS SELENITIREDUCENS
The etymology of the word "Bacillus selenitireducens" can be broken down as follows:
1. Bacillus: This term originates from the Latin word "bacillum", meaning "small stick" or "rod". It is used to describe a type of bacteria that has a rod-like shape.
2. Selenitireducens: This term is a combination of two components.
- Seleniti-: The prefix "seleniti-" is derived from the chemical element "selenium", which is abbreviated as Se. Selenium is a non-metal that is occasionally found in some rocks and soils. It was named after the Greek word "selēnē", meaning "moon", due to its resemblance to tellurium (another element named after the Earth).
